The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-07-08

managed to secure position on one OF
the leading papers, which gave him,
for his services, tolerably fair salary.
As he had some spare hours in the
day, he devoted Il greater part of them
to painting, and was fortunate enough
to sell some of his paintings for fair
price.
One day he heard there was to be an
exhibition of the productions of anna
teur artists, and five hundred dollars
was offered as the prize for the best
picture. Guy determined to try for it,
but hesitated awhile, as to what he
should paint. At length he produced
the sketch of ''Iover's Island,' with
Nellie Nelson standing beneath tree,
and a bright idea occurred to him.
81 will paint myself standing beside
her pleading, as I was, for her love,
that bright June morning; for try as |
may to conquer my feelings, l love her
still, can throw my whole soul into
this picture, as | can in no other, and
as she will never see it, what di ference
will it make :" said he is himself.
He then carefully set to work upon
the painting, and in due time it was
completed, and placed in the Art Gal
lery on exhibition, along with the 9TH
ers that were contending for the same
prize.
While it remained there on eXhibi-
ton, some one, whom he least expected,
visited the gallery, and saw the picture;
she stood before it transfxed with sur
prise, as she recognized her own fea.
lures in the painting. 1t was Nellie
Nelson, who was there staying with I,
friend in New York. In this last year
Elliott had done his best to induce her
so marry him, but to no avail, us she
still maintained her old dislike to him,
and Capt. Nelson had long since sur
rendered all hope of ever having Elliott
for IA son-in-law.
AS Nellie gazed on the beautiful
picture before her, tears of compassion
filled her soft violet eyes.
"Could he indeed have loved me af-
ter all = said she to herself, ';perhaps
he never wrote that letter, and yet for
all | know he might now be married to
Miss Marsden. How earnest his hand
some face looks in that picture as he
is pleading for my love-"
At length the prize was awarded,
and Guy was presented with the five
hundred dollrrs, as he was the success
full competitor.
"Continue to paint said the old
gentleman who awarded the prize, "and
you will some day rank among the fore
most artists Of our land"
On his arrival home, he was met by
Hilda who eagerly inquired who had
won the prize.
st seems as if | won it." said Guy
producing the bill from his pocket.
''Oh, l am so glad" replied she, ,"but
come in the house for there is letter
for you from Australia
"a letter for me from Australia ::
what can it mean Get it for me
quick, Hilda. as | am very anxious to
see it,
"Oh. Hilda," he exclaimed after
she had brought it to him, and he had
opened it," san uncle of ours whom we
knew very little of, as he and father
had had some Observation-Disclosures
died and left me large fortune. But
I do believe I remember knowing him
when l was small boy, and he seemed
to be very fond of me. Shakespeare is
right in saying, Time and the hour
run through the toughest day but
there's one drawback yet" added he to
himself and that is Nellie will not
share it with me-